Better sleep, better business: 5 ways to help staff get better ZZ’s

By Laurie Frees

Healthy sleep can significantly reduce the risk of long-term conditions, such as cardiovascular issues, obesity and diabetes. It also contributes to a healthy economy, as sleep deprivation alone is responsible for $1.9 billion in lost productivity in Canada each year. Here are five ideas to help you become a good sleep steward and promote better sleep habits among your employees.

Encourage good sleep habits

The first step in fostering better sleep is to encourage good sleep habits among your staff. Bring in an expert to host classes and seminars on the importance of sleep. You can also provide practical tips on creating a sleep friendly home environment and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. For example, experts say a room that is dark, quiet and cool is the best for quality sleep.

Illustrate the importance of rest with tools that can aid in better sleep. Comfortable eye masks can help drown out external distractions and create a more serene environment.

Foster a culture of well-being

Creating a culture of well-being is key to supporting better sleep habits among staff. Encourage open discussions about the importance of sleep and its impact on overall health and productivity. Consider organizing workshops or seminars on sleep hygiene, stress management and relaxation techniques. Organize yoga or meditation classes for those who are interested in a guided approach to relaxation.

Send employees home with items that will help create a feeling of calm before bedtime. Scented candles and essential oils are a great start. Hand out reusable tea bags and cork-bottom mugs to encourage winding down with a soothing beverage.

Provide comfort

Blue light, which is emitted by many electronics—including TVs and smartphones—can make it more difficult to fall asleep. Experts recommend turning off all screens 30 minutes before bed. Encourage employees to cuddle up with a good book, and give them a cosy blanket, which can help them feel snug and relaxed as they drift off to sleep after a full day at work.

For shift workers who require rest during breaks, consider recommendations from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. They suggest implementing the following to create an environment conducive to rejuvenating sleep:

• Dedicated break times

• Rest facilities

• Healthy cafeteria services

Prepare for travel

Experts say the average adult needs about seven hours of sleep each night, and they recommend going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. A regular sleep schedule helps employees get enough rest, but keeping to the schedule when travelling is especially helpful. Business travel can disrupt sleep routines, leading to fatigue and decreased productivity.

Travel pillows are perfect for long flights or road trips. For team members who travel frequently, convenient travel kits, containing travel-sized toiletries, earplugs and a sleep mask, make rest come easy.

Wake up refreshed

A productive workday starts with waking up refreshed and energized. Practical wake-up tools, such as alarm clocks, can help employees kick-start their day on a positive note by serving as a reminder to establish healthy sleep-wake routines and consistent wake-up times.

Good sleep habits are good for business

Prioritizing sleep benefits individual well-being and has a significant impact on overall business success. By encouraging healthy sleep, you can help staff wake up refreshed and enhance overall productivity.

Laurie Frees

Laurie Frees is a merchandising category manager at 4imprint who specializes in apparel. With over 25 years of experience in merchandising and product development—plus four years in the promotional products industry—she brings deep expertise in fabric construction and logo application. Laurie manages the product assortment across all apparel categories, including T-shirts, polos, outerwear, dress shirts, sweatshirts and more. Her role includes tracking trends, building supplier partnerships and analyzing data to guide decisions. With a strong focus on products made from sustainable materials, Laurie helps drive innovation in core apparel offerings that customers rely on to showcase their brands.

All marks are the property of 4imprint or their respective owners.

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